For more than 40 years, Raymond Blanc has held two Michelin stars at this beautiful country-house hotel 'and in our opinion, it's a travesty that he hasn't been awarded three', say Guide insiders. Yet it's not just the food which is outstanding in this 15th-century manor house with its honey-coloured stone and lavender-lined pathways that give it a quintessentially English feel 'with huge dollops of French style and savoir faire'. Everything about the Manoir, with its cookery and gardening schools, is a personal enterprise for M. Blanc, whose inspiration for the bedrooms came from his travels. Botticelli has a spiral staircase linking bedroom and bathroom, which has two freestanding baths. Lemongrass is reminiscent of Thailand; it has a bed on a dais, dark bamboo and lime silk furnishings. 'Everything is just so.' Downstairs, in the sitting rooms, 'it feels relaxed rather than stuffy.' In the conservatory dining room, you can order à la carte as well as a seven-course tasting menu extravaganza. Perhaps assiette of Herdwick lamb with courgette, sheep's curd and basil or homemade gnochhi with courgette. Much of the fresh produce comes from the kitchen gardens; there is also an expansive orchard and Japanese garden, all dotted with sculptures. 'It's expensive but so worth it.' The Manoir is due to close in January 2026 for an 18-month refurbishment.